Council agrees on CEF III framework for 2028–2034 under the next MFF

© European Union, 2025 – Photo: Dati Bendo / EC Audiovisual Service

On 15 December 2025, the Council of the European Union agreed on a partial negotiating mandate for the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2028 to 2034, marking the first operational step in discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. While the final budget will be decided as part of the broader negotiations, the Council proposed an indicative financial envelope of 81.4 billion euro.

Under the Council’s position, the Connecting Europe Facility remains the European Union’s main instrument for investing in strategic transport and energy infrastructure. Of the total envelope, €51.5 billion are allocated to transport and military mobility and €29.9 billion to energy infrastructure. Transport funding prioritises completion of the Trans-European Transport Network core network by 2030 and the extended core network by 2040, including infrastructure adapted for both civilian and military use along four priority military mobility corridors. Co-financing rates are set at up to 50%, and up to 75% for Member States with a per capita gross national income below 90% of the European Union average.

Energy investments focus on completing the Energy Union, reducing energy isolation, and achieving the 15% electricity interconnection target by 2030, addressing projected cross-border capacity needs of 66 gigawatts. Higher co-financing rates are foreseen for projects improving security of supply or deploying innovative solutions, with up to 5% of the programme budget reserved for the Union renewable energy financing mechanism.

While the framework strongly prioritises cross-border infrastructure, stakeholders continue to debate whether sufficient attention is given to urban nodes and local passenger transport. The Council’s mandate will now serve as the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament, expected to adopt its position by mid-2026.

Sources: 

Council press release

UITP Position Paper on MFF 2028-2034

RailTech Europe 2026

© RailTech Europe

The conference programme is organised around two thematic days reflecting the sector’s most pressing challenges. Wednesday, 4 March, under the heading “Get on Track to Net-Zero: Decarbonising rail in action”, focuses on the practical implications of the transition to climate-neutral rail. Discussions will look at how decarbonisation is being addressed at system level, from infrastructure construction and asset management to energy use and traction choices, with particular attention to cross-border corridors and their role in reducing transport emissions.

Thursday, 5 March, “Europe’s Strategic Rail Shift”, turns to the structural and technological changes shaping the future European rail network. The programme addresses digitalisation and interoperability, including progress in the deployment of the European Railway Traffic Management System, alongside questions of network security and the increasing relevance of rail infrastructure for military mobility and strategic connectivity across Europe.

In parallel to the conference sessions, RailTech Europe combines a free-to-attend exhibition with dedicated workshop areas on both days, offering a more practice-oriented setting for technical exchange and knowledge sharing. The programme is complemented by the RailTech Innovation Awards, presented during the networking dinner on 4 March, which highlight concrete and implementable innovations addressing current challenges in the rail sector.

RailTech Europe 2026

A Unified Digital Future for Inland Navigation

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